Hippocrates Fortifies the Sanctuary at Delium — Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War Book 4 (4.90.1–4.90.4), Greek & English

§4.90.1

ὁ δὲ Ἱπποκράτης ἀναστήσας Ἀθηναίους πανδημεί, αὐτοὺς καὶ τοὺς μετοίκους καὶ ξένων ὅσοι παρῆσαν ὕστερος¹ ἀφικνεῖται ἐπὶ τὸ Δήλιον, ἤδη τῶν Βοιωτῶν ἀνακεχωρηκότων ἀπὸ τῶν Σιφῶν· καὶ καθίσας τὸν στρατὸν Δήλιον ἐτείχιζε τοιῷδε τρόπῳ [τὸ ἱερὸν τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος ].

Meanwhile, Hippocrates, having mobilized the Athenians in full force—both the citizens themselves, the resident aliens, and all the foreigners who were present—arrived later at Delium, after the Boeotians had already retreated from Siphae. Having stationed his army, he began to fortify Delium [the sanctuary of Apollo] in the following manner.

§4.90.2

τάφρον μὲν κύκλῳ περὶ τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ τὸν νεὼν ἔσκαπτον, ἐκ δὲ τοῦ ὀρύγματος ἀνέβαλλον ἀντὶ τείχους τὸν χοῦν, καὶ σταυροὺς παρακαταπηγνύντες, ἄμπελον κόπτοντες τὴν περὶ τὸ ἱερὸν ἐσέβαλλον καὶ λίθους ἅμα καὶ πλίνθον ἐκ τῶν οἰκοπέδων τῶν ἐγγὺς καθαιροῦντες, καὶ παντὶ τρόπῳ ἐμετεώριζον τὸ ἔρυμα. πύργους τε ξυλίνους κατέστησαν ᾗ καιρὸς ἦν καὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ οἰκοδόμημα οὐδὲν ὑπῆρχεν·² ἥπερ γὰρ ἦν στοὰ κατεπεπτώκει.

First they dug a ditch in a circle around the sanctuary and the temple, and from the excavation they threw up the earth instead of a wall, and driving stakes in beside it, they threw in vines which they cut down from around the sanctuary, and at the same time pulling down stones and bricks from the neighboring houses, they raised the breastwork by every means. They also erected wooden towers where it was appropriate and where there was no building of the sanctuary remaining; for the colonnade which had been there had fallen down.

§4.90.3

ἡμέρᾳ δὲ ἀρξάμενοι τρίτῃ ὡς οἴκοθεν ὥρμησαν³ ταύτην τε εἰργάζοντο καὶ τὴν τετάρτην καὶ τῆς πέμπτης μέχρι ἀρίστου.

Beginning on the third day after they had set out from home, they worked on this day, the fourth, and until the time of the morning meal on the fifth.

§4.90.4

ἔπειτα, ὡς τὰ πλεῖστα ἀπετετέλεστο, τὸ μὲν στρατόπεδον προαπεχώρησεν ἀπὸ τοῦ Δηλίου οἷον δέκα σταδίους ὡς ἐπ’ οἴκου πορευόμενον, καὶ οἱ μὲν ψιλοὶ οἱ πλεῖστοι εὐθὺς ἐχώρουν, οἱ δ’ ὁπλῖται θέμενοι τὰ ὅπλα⁴ ἡσύχαζον· Ἱπποκράτης δὲ ὑπομένων ἔτι καθίστατο φυλακάς τε καὶ τὰ περὶ τὸ προτείχισμα, ὅσα ἦν ὑπόλοιπα, ὡς χρῆν ἐπιτελέσαι.

Then, when most of the work was completed, the army withdrew beforehand about ten stades from Delium as if on its way home; and most of the light-armed troops went on immediately, while the hoplites, piling their arms, remained quiet. But Hippocrates, still remaining behind, was arranging the guards and whatever was left to be completed concerning the outwork, as was necessary.

Syntax notes4 items

4.90.1ὕστερος
The adjective functions adverbially, meaning 'later' or 'belatedly.' It indicates that Hippocrates arrived at Delium late relative to Demosthenes' expedition to Siphae or the originally planned schedule.
4.90.2ᾗ καιρὸς ἦν καὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ οἰκοδόμημα οὐδὲν ὑπῆρχεν
The relative adverb ᾗ ('where') governs both conditions joined by καί: 'where it was appropriate' and 'where there was no building of the sanctuary remaining.'
4.90.3ἡμέρᾳ δὲ ἀρξάμενοι τρίτῃ ὡς οἴκοθεν ὥρμησαν
Featuring ὡς meaning 'since' or 'from the time when,' this phrase expresses the starting point of time: 'beginning on the third day from when they set out from home.'
4.90.4θέμενοι τὰ ὅπλα
A military idiom meaning 'piling their arms' or 'resting with arms grounded.' It refers to temporarily standing at ease or waiting in formation, rather than surrendering or disarming.

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25)urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0003.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:4.90.1-4.90.4